Isaac and Jacob

Isaac and Rebekah Genesis 24 Abraham commands Isaac to not marry the Canannite women. He sends his servant back to his family in Haran (northern Syria) where his servant miraculously meets Rebekah, Isaac’s first cousin once removed (daughter of Bethuel who is the daughter of Nahor who is the brother of Abraham). She agrees to marry Isaac and returns with the servant to the house of Abraham. Isaac was 40.

TWINS!!! Genesis 25:21-26 — “21 And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. 26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.”

Jacob and Esau Genesis 25:27-34 — “27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. 31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? 33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.”

The Birthright Genesis 27 Jacob receives the birthright blessing in place of Esau, unbeknownst to Isaac who was blind and near death. Afterward, Esau vows to kill Jacob after his father has died and the days of mourning are passed.

Jacob Flees to Haran Genesis 27-29 Under direction of his mother who overheard Esau plotting to kill him, and under commandment to not marry one of the daughters of Heth (Canaanites) Jacob flees to Haran where he is welcomed by his uncle Laban. He also meets Rachel, one of Laban’s daughters (his cousin) and instantly falls in love with her and desires to marry her. Laban agrees to let them marry if Jacob works for him for seven years.

Jacob’s Family Genesis 29-30 Jacob works for seven years but is given Rachel’s older sister, Leah, in marriage first (Laban had tricked him into marrying her first). He works another seven years in order to also marry Rachel. Each of the sisters also give their handmaidens to Jacob as wives/concubines. Together the four wives give Jacob twelve sons and one daughter over the course of twenty years.

Jacob’s Family Leah—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah Bilhah—Dan and Naphtali Zilpah—Gad and Asher Rachel—Joseph and Benjamin

Jacob Returns to Canaan Genesis 31-33 Jacob leaves Haran secretly to return to Canaan. Laban pursues him and they resolve their differences. Later, while traveling through Canaan Jacob receives word that Esau and a company of four hundred men are riding to meet them. Praying that the lord will spare him and his family, sending gifts ahead to Esau, and splitting the group into two companies so one could flee if the other is attacked, Jacob prepares to meet his brother. Genesis 33:3-4 — “3 And he (Jacob) passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.”